Budget Amazon smartphone rumoured for 2014

by
David Walker3/14/2014 9:26:51 AM

3/14/2014 9:26:51 AM

I know, you've heard it all before. We have been talking about an Amazon smartphone for years, but most recently last December, when we heard a launch was a possibility for early 2014. Documents that have come to light suggest that could actually be true.

That previous story pointed to a company called Primax Electronics obtaining orders from Amazon for compact camera modules (CCMs) for use in smartphones launching in the first half of 2014. Now, The Information claims to have seen an internal Amazon document which discusses strategies for hitting smartphone markets in China, Europe and the US with a device described as 'Project Aria'.

It adds that sales should commence this year, with Amazon 'determined' to 'keep the phone at a small fraction of the iPhone's $550-and-up price tag.' Apple has been rumoured to be working on two phones in the past, a budget and premium model. The story here seems to be about the cheaper model, possibly launching with a 5-inch HD display, a plastic back cover and 16GB of storage space. We would guess a closed version of Android too, not unlike the Kindle tablets, which would help Amazon recoup the cash it loses from selling the handset cheaply.

If it's all true (and it might just be), a launch might not be so far away. A launch that should ruffle a few feathers in the mobile market when it does come.